Beyond Performance: A Mixed-Methods Study of Carnegie Hall’s Well-Being Concerts

Abstract

This study explores the public health potential of music and cultural institutions through an examination of Carnegie Hall’s Well-Being Concert series. The series, initiated by the Weill Music Institute, the Hall’s education and social impact arm, aims to create immersive concert experiences that amplify the social, physical, emotional, and educational benefits of music engagement. Grounded in the rich historical and cross-cultural relationship between music and well-being, the series embraces holistic approaches to concert design, curating musical, environmental, and experiential elements for both artists and their audiences. Through observations, interviews, focus groups, and surveys, this mixed-methods study describes the development and evaluates the impact of the inaugural season of Well-Being Concerts among two separate audiences: individuals impacted by the justice system and health care workers. Findings highlight how these concerts foster well-being through relaxation, introspection, and interpersonal connection. Participants described their experience as peaceful and novel, allowing for both focus on oneself and social connection. Venue ambiance curation and the communication of the series’ intention facilitated a sense of inclusivity and comfort for the audience, while also serving to challenge perceptions of cultural elitism. Quantitative analysis revealed significant increases in perceived well-being from pre-concert expectations to post-concert reflections, underscoring the potential effectiveness of such experiences in helping audiences reach individually identified well-being goals. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence that cultural organizations can be productive public health partners and that musical engagement can promote health and well-being. By harmonizing music and listening with self- and community-care practices, Carnegie Hall’s Well-Being Concerts offer a model for an innovative, evidence-informed, and culturally based approach to well-being.